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After a year and a half of sometimes-strained conversations about privatizing services for the
developmentally disabled, the superintendent of Union County’s Board of Developmental Disabilities
is leaving his post.

Kim Miller, 59, had been superintendent since July 2006 and was a vocal advocate for privatizing
care for the developmentally disabled in Union County, upsetting some families who use those
services. Privatization took effect for Union County’s developmental-disabilities services in the
fall.

Last week, the board and Miller agreed to end his contract about two years early. The board
agreed to pay Miller one year’s salary plus vacation time, a total of about $149,000. Miller agreed
to resign effective Jan. 21.

“What transpired over the last two years has been ugly and has ripped the program apart,” Miller
said. “I think we all came to the conclusion that the best way for the healing to really begin is
for (me) to leave.”

The board announced in late 2011 that it wanted to privatize services to save money. Miller said
demand for those services was growing in Union County, and private companies could provide services
for less.

By mid-2012, the board had decided that county employees would not supervise and care for the
adults who worked at U-Co Industries, a sheltered workshop and day-care center for adults. Instead,
it would bring in private companies and let families decide which company to choose for their
needs.

It was a divisive but necessary decision, Miller said.

So was Miller’s departure, said Kim Morris, the board’s president. Both Miller and Morris
described the split as friendly. The board’s annual budget is about $11.7 million. Morris said the
board would see a savings by severing the relationship with Miller.

“Kim was ready to move on, and we all just mutually agreed it was a good time now that
privatization was in place,” Morris said.